Bengaluru Heist: Nepali couple makes off with Rs 18 crore in jewellery and cash

A Nepali couple allegedly stole gold and diamond jewellery, silver articles and cash worth around Rs 18 crore from a builder’s residence in Marathahalli, Bengaluru , police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on January 25 , at the house where the couple was employed as domestic help. The family had hired several workers, including the accused.

On Sunday morning, the builder’s family left for a function. Around 12:30 pm , another domestic worker alerted the owners that the house appeared ransacked. Upon returning, the family found lockers broken open on both the ground and first floors.

According to police, the couple fled with about 11.5 kg of gold and diamond jewellery , approximately 5 kg of silver articles , and Rs 11.5 lakh in cash , with the total estimated value of the stolen items being around Rs 18 crore .

A senior police officer said the accused are suspected to have had prior knowledge of the family’s movements and allegedly cut off the power supply to disable CCTV cameras before executing the theft.

The builder, M R Shivakumar Gowda , told police that the couple had been employed only about 20 days prior and had delayed submitting identity documents before the incident.

A case has been registered at Marathahalli Police Station , and a special team has been formed to trace the couple and recover the stolen items. Police are also questioning other domestic staff and investigating whether others assisted in planning the theft. Initial leads place the suspects near Kanakapura Road after the incident.

The case has drawn attention to security lapses and the vetting of domestic help , particularly when access to valuables is involved. The investigation is ongoing.